MORP formed in 2008 as an informal partnership with the Montezuma County Historical Society. Through conversations with descendants of pioneer settlers, co-founders Addie and Jude Schuenemeyer were excited to learn that fruit orchards once featured prominently in the agricultural landscape of southwestern Colorado. Montezuma County was renowned for its quality fruit – winning three gold medals at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Many of these orchards still exist – primarily apples – as remnants of their prior grandeur and sometimes with only a few 100+ year-old trees remaining along a fence line. Fortunately, people who grew up with these old trees still live here to share their stories and knowledge. Together, they and their trees create a living history that few places have retained.

MORP believes that the remarkable orchard culture and economy that once existed here can again be possible through our program work of Preservation, Education and Outreach, and Cultural & Economic Revitalization. Through orchard workshops, historic document research, and direct engagement with knowledgeable people, an active interest in heritage orchards is again taking hold.

In 2014 MORP put together an advisory team, adopted By-Laws, and organized under 501c3 fiscal sponsorship in order to systematically collect, document, and share the work done so far; and to secure funding to make further progress towards its goals.

JOIN US

Please join us in keeping Colorado “Orchard Country”. The best way to support our work is to become a SUSTAIN-a-TREE member by making a monthly donation of $10 or more. You can also make a yearly one time donation of $30 or more to become a member. Your membership is tax-deductible. Please make checks payable to MORP or go to “Become a Member” (at sidebar) to contribute via PayPal (remember to check the recurring box to become a sustaining member).

Members receive discounts on workshops and hand-grafted heritage apple trees. Sign up for our newsletter (at sidebar) to know about upcoming Orchard Socials and workshops; learn how to prune and graft; learn what is growing here; connect to the living history!

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MORP Contact Info

The best way to support MORP’s work is to become a Sustain-a-Tree member by donating $10 or more a month. Be sure to check the recurring box when you give. You may also become a MORP member when you donate $30 or more annually. Please choose to share your mailing address with us so we can thank you properly. ALSO, pre-pay for workshops here; include date and and type of class in comment/memo line.